About our 2009 Conference: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the theme for the 2009 NAMAC Conference?
What do participants get out of the conference?
You’ve convinced me – I want to come! How do I sign up?
What’s the easiest way to get around town?
I am interested in becoming a Sponsor, what should I do?
I am interested in being on the Boston Host Committee, what should I do?
I am interested in volunteering, what should I do?
Do you provide honoraria and/or travel reimbursement for speakers?
I have more questions, is there someone I can contact?
What is NAMAC?
The National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture is an association of over 300 community-based arts and media organizations, dedicated to fostering the culture and business of independent media arts. Through dialogue, collaboration, research and advocacy, we connect, organize and develop our member organizations.
The conference is for NAMAC members, partners, and allies in the fields of media, arts, and culture. It’s a place for big-think conversations and knowledge sharing among artists, advocates, media makers, scholars, students, funders, and policymakers who care about the growth and development of our sector.
What is the theme for the 2009 NAMAC Conference?
This year’s theme is Commonwealth. We’re coming together at a time of flux and change in our political, economic, demographic, and technological environments. It’s a time for our field to explore the concepts of the commons and of wealth. We’re looking at a reframe of values where we embrace collaboration, common spaces, public funding ownership, and democratic participation. This conference will foster Big Think conversations about the future of arts, media, and culture.
What do participants get out of the conference?
- Conference participants always leave energized and inspired with new ideas, connections, and a sense of community.
- Arts and media practitioners get a chance to share and learn about developments and trends in policy, technology, audience, and funding that affect our fields.
- The conference is an important opportunity to participate in conversations that will help set a collaborative agenda for the future of our sectors.
- Practitioners from around the country share stories of exciting models and best practices in the media/arts/culture field – successful advocacy campaigns, legislative victories, innovative outreach projects, interesting alliances, new exhibition/curatorial strategies, creative fundraising approaches, and exciting uses of new technology.
- Participants are exposed to presentations and conversations with allies from a diverse range of professional backgrounds relevant to (but not typically included in) our work.
- Arts and media practitioners meet their counterparts at similar organizations across the country and find opportunities to develop partnerships, collaborations, and mutual support within and between sectors.
- Emerging leaders in the media and visual arts have opportunities to cultivate leadership and key capacities.
- When we come together, we grow and strengthen NAMAC as a network and an advocacy force.
- Not incidentally, we have lots of fun! We meet with interesting people in an interesting city and let the locals wow us with the best parties and cultural events in town.
You’ve convinced me – I want to come! How do I sign up?
Registration is easy and can be done online at: https://www.regonline.com/NAMAC09
This all sounds amazing! We’d love to come, but we really can’t afford it. What should we do?
We know the economy has many organizations tightening their belts and cutting travel budgets. But we also know that these times of flux are the most important and exciting times to convene, share, learn, and plot together.
Because we want to see as many of you as possible at this crucial gathering, we're pleased to be able to offer discount registration rates this year ($130 earlybird/$160 regular) to organizations that are feeling the economic pinch.
We are also working to raise funds for travel scholarships to help provide funding for a limited number of emerging leaders and/or youth who would otherwise be unable to attend. Stay tuned for updates as these may become available.
Other helpful hints: Book airfares well in advance… Carpool to the conference… Take public transportation… Find a roommate to share hotel costs … Check out these affordable dining options…
Beantown Dinner on a Dime:
http://www.hiddenboston.com/CheapEats.html
http://www.yelp.com/list/decent-cheap-eats-boston
http://boston.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/2008/cheap_eats
http://www.urbanspoon.com/pr/4/1/Boston/Cheap-Eats.html
We’ve secured a special discounted rate for conference attendees at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers. Located in the heart of historic Back Bay, adjacent to the Public Garden and chic boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, at the historic Park Plaza you will relax in comfort and style.
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
What’s the easiest way to get around town?
Boston is a compact city with great public transit. For more information and user-friendly trip-planner’s visit Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
I am interested in sponsoring the conference. What should I do?
Thank you for your interest in CommonWealth – we'll be happy to help you reach your sponsorship objectives through this conference. Contact Deborah Obalil, Conference Sponsorship & Event Coordinator at deborah@obalil.com for more information.
I am interested
in serving on the Boston Host Committee. What should I do?
We're happy to add to the ranks, so come on board! Simply contact Deborah Obalil, Conference Sponsorship & Event Coordinator at deborah@obalil.com and she will get you connected.
I am interested
in volunteering. What should I do?
A range of on-site volunteers will be needed during the conference and immediately preceding the conference. From preparing registration packets to guiding conference attendees to off-site events, volunteer efforts will be a key component of our success. To indicate your interest in volunteering, please email Deborah Obalil, Conference Sponsorship & Event Coordinator at deborah@obalil.com with your name, contact information and availability.
Do you provide honoraria and/or travel reimbursement for speakers?
Because this is a meeting of peers and allies sharing information for the common wealth, we ask all presenters to participate in the conference on a volunteer basis and pay their own travel and lodging costs. This helps keep conference registration fees as low as possible and allows for broader attendance. Exception: if a key presenter does not otherwise have the resources to attend, NAMAC may be able to provide some financial assistance on a case-by-case basis.
I have more questions, is there someone I can contact? Yes, of course! Please call:
Sara Jane Keskula, Conference Coordinator at 415.431.1391 ext. 305. Or email: sarajane@namac.org. She’ll be more than happy to help
